Ultimate Comics Spider-Man

In the Ultimate universe, Peter Parker is dead, but Spider-man lives on!

Thirteen year old Miles Morales doesn't want to have superpowers. When he gets bitten by an experimental Oscorp spider and begins to exhibit all the same powers as Spider-man and more, he's terrified. But it doesn't matter, he thinks, since there's already a Spider-man. He's just a kid, after all; nobody needs him to be a hero. Until Peter Parker dies. Left as the lone bearer of spider-powers, Miles takes to heart the words that drove Peter – "with great power comes great responsibility" – and dons the mantle of Spider-man. But Miles has a lot to contend with that Peter didn't, including a father who hates all superpowered people, a criminal uncle, and a guilt-ridden Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D, who feel responsible for not saving Peter.

The beautiful, expressive art by Sara Pichelli and Chris Samnee is worth a look all on its own - add that to Brian Michael Bendis' script and you have the recipe for one of my personal favorite ongoings. If you like characters like Captain America or Superman, fundamentally good characters with the strength to do what's right and an innate sweetness that persists even in the face of personal tragedy, you'll love Miles Morales!

Volume 4 has only just recently hit our shelves, and we have volume 1, volume 2 and volume 3 here as well, so the whole series as it stands is at your finger tips. While the original Spider-man spins webs in the box office, why not give his successor a try?